How does the upgrade phone program work?

[jt0177]

How does Bell's upgrade phone program work?

I have been with Bell since August of 2008 and have roughly spent about $1000-1300 with them so far. Am I eligible for any hardware upgrade discounts when the new Blackberry comes out? (August 2009 ish)

I currently have the Blackberry 8330.

[AlexPalm006]

after 1 year you get a 50-100 $ discount on your next phone and the second year you can get up to 250$ discount -max- on your next phone

[CreamyGoodness]

^ yep, depending on how long of a contract renewl as well

[Kronk86]

Most carriers have a segmentation...If you have spent that much, it would depend on how much your rate plan and features add up to.

I know with TELUS, after less then a year, you wouldn't get anything if you already have a smartphone.

Best choice; Buy a new phone at full price and save the renewal for when something sweet actually comes out.

[urbnlgcy]

All carriers do it in similar ways, the only difference is the precise periods in which they give out the credits based on ARPU (the industry standard for measuring average revenue per user). Some people will get their hardware upgrades earlier due to clauses in their contracts, as is the situation with many corporate accounts.

Generally, you can expect your renewal credits to come up half way through whatever term you signed for. The amount that this initial credit will be is determined by how much you spend per month. If you spend around how much the average user spends (it's about $50/month/line), then you'll get the average initial credit of $50. This is not to say that if you spend $100 per/month/line, that you would get $100 credit. The calculations and thresholds are done much differently than straight-lining.

Additional credits are given out on irregular, accelerating intervals, which agan, depend on your ARPU and length of contract, to a maximum on $250. Additional credits are also given out based on the phone your purchasing, whether or not you have a data feature, as well as length of contract.

For example:

Blackberry Storm 9530 no contract $699.95
Hardware upgrade credis Less ($250)
Data credit Less ($250)
TOTAL = $199.95

IMHO, contracts are always a good deal since you'll end up spending roughly the same amount either way on hardware or cancellation fees (for smartphones at the very least), so the contract gives you the best opportunity to save money on your phones.

[CreamyGoodness]

ok well if anyone can figure this one out for me. I am on bell, i spend 70 bucks a month on a corportate plan on a non-smart phone. Lg Vantage to be exact. The contract expires february 20th 2010. How much roughly would it cost me to get out of the contract, o lets say the niagara will be around 600, how much would the phone cost me on a renewal

[Kronk86]

Based on Bell's TLC (Termination Liability Charge) it would cost you $220 to cancel your contract. Depending on how much of a discount you get on the phone, it is probably better to just renew.

You are probably going to spend about $200 on the Niagra (9630) with a full renewal, and if you were to only get a partial renewal ($200 off the non contract price) with the phone's estimated cost of $599, you would end up spending the same amount if you canceled and went to another company.

You would be looking at spending $400 either way on the new phone...Better then 600.

The figures that the person above are a little off...the BB Storm's MSRP is only $599 not 600.

But he is right about ARPU. You are likely to get a better discount if you are upgrading to a smartphone.

[urbnlgcy]

Based on Bell's TLC (Termination Liability Charge) it would cost you $220 to cancel your contract. Depending on how much of a discount you get on the phone, it is probably better to just renew.

You are probably going to spend about $200 on the Niagra (9630) with a full renewal, and if you were to only get a partial renewal ($200 off the non contract price) with the phone's estimated cost of $599, you would end up spending the same amount if you canceled and went to another company.

You would be looking at spending $400 either way on the new phone...Better then 600.

The figures that the person above are a little off...the BB Storm's MSRP is only $599 not 600.

But he is right about ARPU. You are likely to get a better discount if you are upgrading to a smartphone.

My figures are not off (even though the amounts were for illustrative purposes regardless):

http://www.bell.ca/shopping/en_CA_AB.BlackberryStorm--9530/67671.details

If you're looking at the Niagra, take at look at Boy Genius' review. Things look very positive.

[Kronk86]

The Bell price is over inflated then. No other carrier sells it for that price.

Typical...

[urbnlgcy]

The Bell price is over inflated then. No other carrier sells it for that price.

Typical...

How many people buy them for the no contract price? If you really want to say "typical"...then look at these Telus to Bell comparisons.

Blackberry Pearl 8130
Telus: http://www.telusmobility.com/ab/pcs/handset_blackberry_8130.shtml
Bell: http://www.bell.ca/shopping/en_CA_ON.BlackBerry-Pearl-8130/96282.details

HTC Touch Pro
Telus: http://www.telusmobility.com/ab/pcs/handset_htc_t7279.shtml
Bell: http://www.bell.ca/shopping/en_CA_ON.HTC-Touch-Pro/67315.details

HTC Touch
Telus: http://www.telusmobility.com/ab/pcs/handset_htc_p3050.shtml
Bell: http://www.bell.ca/shopping/en_CA_ON.HTC-Touch/96393.details

Point in case: There are pricing differences between all carriers for a variety of different phones, and these prices fluctuate. At least try to be a little bit more objective in your comments.

[Kronk86]

Not going to start an argument. I always buy the phones for the no contract price.

[CreamyGoodness]

ya i bought my vantage for the no contract price and spent 480 on it, i uderly regret that

[Kronk86]

I managed to get my BB Storm new in box, never opened, for $350. No contract.

My HTC Diamond i paid full price for though...a little painful, but my $15 unlimited data plan made up for that.